Sharks Even Series At Two Apeice After Kings Get Royally Screwed
May 21, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks acknowledge fans after the win against the Los Angeles Kings in game four of the Stanley Cup Playoffs at HP Pavilion. The San Jose Sharks defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Back to Los Angeles we go after the San Jose Sharks defeated the Kings 2-1 in yet anothe game that went down to the wire at HP Pavilion.
Antti Niemi, who had a quiet first period, was busy in the third and faced 14 Los Angeles shots, 13 of which he stopped. That was enough to help his team to victory as the Sharks pulled out the win.
In yet another nail biter that went down to the wire it will be the Kings who have a bone to pick with the officiating after tonight’s game. They had a goal disallowed on what was a very quick and inadvertent whistle. A shot had been taken by Tyler Toffoli with Dustin Penner in front of the net, and as the puck went through Niemi a whistle had blown. Moments later the puck was seen coming out behind Niemi in into the San Jose net. Check out the replay below.
What could have been a huge turning point for the Kings, and in the end made the game 2-2 with another overtime game looming, it was definitely a blown call.
The goal which was not disallowed for the Kings was scored by Mike Richards on a Los Angeles power play in the third period. He put home a rebound after taking a couple of whacks at a Jeff Carter shot which hit the post. He was finally able to connect on one and knock the puck in on the short-side on Niemi. Overall the Kings went one for three on the power play.
San Jose’s goals were scored by Brent Burns and Logan Couture. Burns’ goal came in the first period on a great feed from captain Joe Thornton after he stole the puck off of Slava Voynov’s stick on the forecheck.
Couture scored on the power play when a shot from Dan Boyle from the point deflected off of his knee and into the net. His goal ended up being the game winner, and it was his fifth of the playoffs. San Jose ended up going one for four on the power play.
It was definitely not the prettiest win for the Sharks, especially the way they started the game, but they will take it. In the end it was the strong start, specifically from the Thornton line, that gave the Sharks what they needed to win the game. This game was reminiscint of game two where the Kings put on a late push and dominated in the third period. This time, however, Niemi and the Sharks stood their ground and left with the victory.
GGS 3 Stars
1. Joe Thornton (1 assist, 67% in faceoffs, 2 takeaways)
2. Antti Niemi (22 saves)
3. Anze Kopitar (1 assist, 4 shots, 4 hits, 60% in faceoffs)